December 26, 2018

Brand Mexico - Beyond the Cartel Hysteria

Long story short, he had endured a reversal of fortune in 2008. It had been the perfect storm, ranging from major losses in his investments to a layoff in his media job.

Like so many aging, as The Wall Street Journal reports, he hasn't been able to bounce back financially. Here and there he can pick up low-wage gigs. So far, his efforts at starting up businesses haven't yielded a profit.

No surprise, some at dinner jumped right in with the mythology surrounding Brand Mexico.

They warned him to abandon that "nutty" plan. Essentially, the location is being positioned and packaged as a risk-your-life force field. The message: Just about anywhere outside the U.S. but Mexico.

That's exactly why those who have experienced a very different lifestyle in Mexico or have researched it have to become the loudest voices in the room shouting the realities.

A third are all those participating in chat rooms. Just key in "Living in Mexico - Chat Rooms."

Just as is the situation here in Eastern Ohio, there are safe and unsafe places in Mexico. Here is one of the myriad articles covering the details of that in Mexico.

Also, there are huge differences throughout Mexico about cost of living, quality of infrastructure such as internet access, and the culture of various expat communities. Here is a backgrounder you can download to get you started in your due diligence.

Our dinner companion and his significant other are planning the next smart step in this relocation decision. They are saving their pennies to be able to visit the Mexican beach town which seems, at least in their research, to be the best fit for them.

The film "The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel" warns about relocating abroad without first checking out the promotional literature and media coverage in person.

In addition, a wise approach is to test out this plan in small bites.

For example, there are those I coach (a side hustle growing out of communications enterprise) who are maintaining as much of the familiar as possible.

A 66-year-old lawyer in Massachusetts is relocating to the U.S. city - Sierra Vista, Arizona, on the border of Nogales, Mexico.

According to Zillow, the median rent in the U.S. has risen this year 2.8% to $1,445. That's the biggest jump since 2016. Fewer and fewer can afford to buy. So, they are renting. Landlord Nation has taken note. At lease renewal time, more and more can expect big increases.